ATHLETIC SPORTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9160, 15 September 1888, Page 6

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

The two recenb matches with the English have been, of course, the great topics of conversation among footballers and others taking an interest in athletics during the week. To give a straightforward opinion concerning them, I must confess to being greatly disappointed, in that I feel that Auckland should have won both games. That they did not do so waa certainly due to the general slowness of play displayed by our back division. With the exception of T. Brown, Herrold, and Braund, none of them showed themselves to be in as good form as they have frequently displayed in other fixtures, a result that may be partly accounted for by the systematic following and too often offside "shepherding" of their opponents. In the first match, however, these excuses could not account for the poor form displayed by Meldrum, Ryan, and Stephenson, who were decidedly all very unreliable in their respective positions. The first-named did not shine even in his strong point of tackling, and by a piece of lamentable hesitation at a critical moment lost an opportunity of making a bold bid to redeem his reputation and at the same time win the match by potting a goal. Though Ryan was not perhaps so directly responsible for a missed chance of scoring, his play was throughout weak, and he was very slow in getting his return. His drop at goal was a good one, but small praise to him for it. Stephenson's greatest fault was hie terrribly insecure picking up and taking the ball. A certain score v/as on one occasion lost by this defect, when Herrold had made an excellent run and passed all but one man. Masefield had not his fair share of work to do, and gob through without mistakes, though lie evidently needs aome more practice in placing the ball when punting into touch. In both matches Herrold certainly proved himself the best of the Auckland backs, being the only player who could be labelled as dangerous, while on two occasions hard luck alone prevented him from scoring. His defensive play on the far side of the field was a theme for warm expressions of admiration among the oecuDants of the grand stand. Braund, thougli perhaps not so brilliant, also played an excellent game, good alike in aggression or defence, and his clever try, which pulled the second match out of the fire, was as much applauded for the player's popularity as for gladness at Auckland securing it. Lusk, playing in the second match, certainly confirmed the decision of the Selection Committee in excluding him from the first fixture. The captain of the team foolishly acceded to arequesttoplay him threequarter for the first spell. In this position he was a, " frost,"and at full-back he was a similar failure. Had he been anything like the old Bob Lusk, or possessed of the dash in emergencies that distinguished J. Braund when playing fullback, he should certainly have stopped Stoddart from getting in. As it was, a weak high collar was easily brushed off and a score made. I hope to see Lusk in much better form next year. The forwards in both matches played well throughout, though over-eagerness lost them two scores on Wednesday. On the second occasion they proved themselves far stronger than their opponents, and had the best of nearly all the scrums, while in the dribbling they got on some splendid combined rushes. Lecky deserves credit for playing perhaps the .best game in the two matches, though Hobson and McKenzie in the first and Marshall in the second game pressed him very hard. O'Connor was a tower of strength, doing yeoman service in tackling, while Wells, Heffernan, and McLean were all in fine fettle. Crowe was good at the line-up, but did not last out the general play. Concerning the play of the Englishmen, it is on the whole best characterised as clever. Clever ic certainly was, and the unexpected manner in which they averted almost certain scores on a couple of occasions almost merits the application of the term cunning. That the spectators did not appreciate the little devices of off-side play and kicking from play into touch-in-goal, was manifest by the signs of disapproval that promptly arose. Otherwise, except for a quite illegal tackle of Hobson made by one of the English backs, that was as unnecessarily rough as uncalled for, the game played by the visitors was a good one. Their backs were good, save Burnett, who certainly cannot be classed above mediocre. Brooks, Haslam, and Speakman have during the matches played in Auckland shown consistent good form, their kicking, passing, ana backing up being first-class. Brooks is superior to the others in defensive play. Stoddart showed that he is a good man, and he eained his try in very workmanlike style. His forte in running appears to be quick turns and feinting dodges, while he was just sufficiently faster than his opposing backs to enable him to run rdUnd them if he got a clear chance. His style of running, and punting if hampered, reminded me much of Joe Warbrick's style. Bum by played much better than on Saturday, and did good work throughout. Of the forwards, Eagles, Stewart, Williams, and Thomas played perhaps the best in all-round work. Paul was good in the line-up, while Kent was conspicuous for fast dashes occasionally. Yesterday evening the Auckland team that has been selected to play against the Tauranga Fifteen took their departure by the s.s. Clansman. Several members originally chosen failed to get away at the last moment, and those who went now form a bare fifteen. They were :H. Kissling. T. Ryan, R. Masefield, A. Tanfield, J Conway, W. Hobson, W. Edwards, J. Johnston, R. Crowe, J. Baxter, — Gough, P. Gould, J. Heffernan, R. McKenzie, J. Arneil, E. Whiteside (umpire). The St. George's Rowing Club hold their annual meeting to-night, and a large number of old and intending members are expected to put in an attendance. The commodore of the club (Mr. J. Coates) is to preside, and the business will be of a very interesting nature, as, besides a retrospect of last season's work, the plan of operations for the coming summer will very likely be discussed and arranged. The return match bet%veen teams Jepresenting Sharland and Co. v. The Retail Druggists, takes place this afternoon at Potter's paddock. The kick-off being at half-past two. The following will represent Sharland and Co. :—Meldrum (captain), Churton, Phelan (2). Fox, Neill, Sykes, Cunninghame, Cowan, McKee, Larkin, Cole, Singleton, Constable, Dawson ; emergencies : Sellgren, Roberts, Mackrell. In the match played on the 24th May the wholesale team was drawn from both Messrs. Sharland and Co. and Kempthorne, Prosser, and Co., but in this return the team will be drawn from the firm of Sharland and Co. only.

Professor Carrollo intends to commence his fourth annual competitions on Monday, the 17th, in his gymnasium, Grey-street,, and will continue every night in the week. The first is for the gymnastic champion ship, in which four will compete. The prizes are on view in Mr. Ivil's, tobacconist's window, Queen-street, and aiv medals of good value—being gold, goKf centre, and silver—presented by Mr. 11. N. Abbott, Mr. A. Woollams, and Pro fcssor Carrollo. The admission is by invitation, and the competitions will commemv every night at half-past seven o'clock. They are expected to be very close and exciting.

The Waitemata Football Club, which is to be disbanded, held a very enjoyable reunion last evening at the Pier Hotel. There were about thirty present, and an excellent spread was provided in host Bennett's best style. A number oi songs were rendered, and the party broke up shortly after ten o'clock. ' Jason.